Boyle's dream run heads Down Under

A musical based on the life story of the most improbable pop star in history is on its way to Australia.

The jukebox musical I Dreamed a Dream is based on the story of Susan Boyle, the 51-year-old Scottish singer who rose from obscurity to bestsellerdom via a runner-up finish on the British TV talent show Britain's Got Talent in 2009.

Susan Boyle became a worldwide sensation after her audition for Britain's Got Talent.

The musical is named after the song from Les Miserables that Boyle sang in her audition on the show. The video of that performance has been watched more than 108 million times on YouTube

According to the promotional material, the musical tells Boyle's story "from her humble beginnings of being born into a large working-class family, and sharing a three-bedroomed council house with a family of 10 . . . to where she is today – a global star and an inspiration to millions – a woman who beat the odds and changed the way the world looked at people".

The show was created by Alan McHugh and Elaine C. Smith, a 54-year-old Scottish actress and comedian who also plays Boyle and sings her songs in the show. She will play Boyle in the Australian season.

I Dreamed A Dream premiered in Newcastle, England, in March and will open in Australia at Her Majesty's in Melbourne on May 31 before moving to Sydney's Theatre Royal from July 4.

Boyle herself has been known to make an appearance at the end of performances of the musical in Britain to sing a couple of songs, and there is a strong likelihood she will make a similar appearance at least for the Melbourne premiere.

One character who sadly won't be appearing is Simon Cowell. Despite playing a central role in Boyle's ascension as a judge on the show, the evil genius of the pop industry plays no part in the stage version of her story.

Tickets are on sale from Monday, November 26. So now you know what to get the oldies for Christmas.